If you missed it ...
* Cameron Sutton talks NFL decision and his unique academic interest * Former five-star recruit Drew Richmond working toward 'bright' future while redshirting * Vols still in wait-and-see mode -- for this season and next -- with Curt Maggitt * Freshman DE Kyle Phillips out for rest of season, will undergo shoulder surgery * Why does Tennessee's offense struggle after fast starts? * Owen Williams quietly making an impact at defensive tackle * Josh Dobbs downplays any notion he's injured * Jones, Tennessee 'well aware' of issues with Neyland Stadium's field condition
NORTH TEXAS (1-8, 1-5 C-USA) AT TENNESSEE (5-4, 3-3 SEC)
When: Noon
Where: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn.
TV/Radio: SEC Network/106.5 FM
THE MATCHUP
It's homecoming weekend in Knoxville, and Tennessee probably couldn't have scheduled a friendlier opponent.
North Texas fired coach Dan McCarney midway into his fifth season after a brutal 66-7 loss to Portland State last month, and offensive coordinator Mike Canales is the interim coach. North Texas edged Texas-San Antonio 30-23 two weeks ago on quarterback DaMarcus Smith's fourth-quarter touchdown run, but the Mean Green have lost games by 18, 14, 46, 35, 59, 27, 17 and 43 points.
They're allowing 45.6 points per game, third-most in the country. North Texas ranks 118th nationally in scoring, 109th in total offense and 124th in total defense. There's a reason Tennessee is favored by more than 40 points.
ONE TO WATCH
The backup quarterback is always the most popular guy on the team, and assuming Tennessee is able to take care of business against its Conference USA visitors, the Vols should be able to give plenty of playing time to freshman quarterback Quinten Dormady and a handful of other reserves.
Dormady looked good in mop-up duty against Western Carolina, but the Vols waited too long to put him in with a 31-point lead at Kentucky and, as they did against Bowling Green, limited him to handing the ball off.
Starter Josh Dobbs a little more hobbled than some are letting on, and Tennessee will need him healthy with Missouri's and Vanderbilt's defenses still left to play. Freshman running back John Kelly could have a big day, too.
Tennessee running back Alvin Kamara prepares to take a handoff from quarterback Quinten Dormady during the Volunteers' rout of Western Carolina last month at Neyland Stadium. Kamara, who began his college career at the University of Alabama, returns to Tuscaloosa this weekend as a member of the opposing team.IN THE END
The Vols are facing a team playing for an interim coach for a second straight week, but this one shouldn't come down to the final minute as Tennessee's escape of South Carolina did last week. Tennessee should cruise to a lopsided victory and give some of it stars an early seat on the bench.
What may be hard to believe is the Vols are about to be on their first three-game winning streak in five years. No, seriously. Tennessee last won three straight games within a single season in 2010, when Derek Dooley's first team beat Memphis, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Vanderbilt to close out the regular season.
PREDICTION: TENNESSEE 62, NORTH TEXAS 10